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Author for correspondence: Dr. Nazim SekerogluProfessor, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Killis 7Aralik University, Killis 79000, TurkeyE-mail: nsekeroglu@gmail.comTel.: +90-5324015512; +90-3488142667; Fax: +90-3488142669

Copyright @ 2019 Ukaaz Publications. All rights reserved.Email: ukaaz@yahoo.com; Website: www.ukaazpublications.com

Even though, the contemporary medical technology made atremendous progress, yet facing a huge challenge with respect to itseasy availability to the needy people worldwide. In many developingand under-developed nations, the scarcity of effective modernmedication is still a great lacuna in the healthcare system and policies.In these nations, the limited supply of advanced medicines is dueto lack of transportation and high cost. Consequently, in suchnations, a large proportion of the population has to depend on theirtraditional or complementary systems of medicine for generalhealthcare (Hegde, 2003).

In the current scenario, health problems have greatly risen due tounhealthy lifestyles and ignorance towards the environmentalpollution. The ever increasing environmental toxicity has inducedmany stress related changes in humans and pathogens both. As aresult, the immunity of human beings has decreased to an alarminglevel while the adaptation/resistance in pathogens, showed a reverseeffect. Thus, complications have arisen further due to multidrugresistance in pathogens. The other major problem is related to thenegative side effects of allopathic or synthetic chemical drugs onthe vital organs of the diseased persons.

Thus, to provide effective and safe healthcare with betterphysiological compatibility, at an effective cost and fewer/no adverseeffects, the research focus is again shifting towards the conventionalsystems of medicine and the area of phytomedicine is now anemerging as a thrust area of healthcare (Ansari et al., 2019). Theyear 2013 with the launch of ‘WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy2014-2023’ marks a significant development in this arena, globally.This strategically motivated planning emphasized on the promotionof earliest medicinal knowledge, which is effective, safe, almostfree of charges and has wide acceptance.

India is believed to be one of the oldest centers for medicinal plantresearch with evidences indicating that in ancient India, Shusrutaand Charaka were the well known medicine men with exceptionalknowledge of surgical acts also. They have written ‘Sushruta,Samhita’ and ‘Charaka Samhita’, respectively, the manuscripts

Annals of Phytomedicine 8(2): 1-6, 2019

Annals of Phytomedicine: An International Journalhttp://www.ukaazpublications.com/publications/index.php

Print ISSN : 2278-9839 Online ISSN : 2393-9885

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21276/ap.2019.8.2.1

Invited commentary

Some customary edible plants of incredible medicinal worthNazim SekerogluDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Killis 7 Aralik University, Killis 79000, Turkey

Received September 15, 2019: Revised November 5, 2019: Accepted November 7, 2019: Published online December 30, 2019

related to alternative medicine and surgery. Both of these areconsidered as the systematic writings having a precious classic texton medicinal practices. Archeological excavations have gatherednumerous evidences suggestive of the utilization of plants asmedicine. However, since the beginning of 19th century, the modeof treatment was drifted towards the use of allopathic medicines inthe India, even today, majority of the modern populace preferallopathic medicines for treatment. But, the rural population ofIndia even today depends on the ancient Indian medicinal practiceslike ayurveda, unnani and siddha.

Now, the urban population has also realized the side effects ofallopathic medicines and started to prefer herbal drugs orphytomedicine or phytotherapy for maintenance of health as wellas therapy of various ailments (Pandey et al., 2013; Mafuva et al.,2014). These practices are all based on the use of plants/plantparts, viz., roots, bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds and even thewhole plants (Falodun, 2010).

As a result, the Indian government established a department ofAYUSH to promote plant bases medication. The canopy of AYUSHcovers herbs, plant parts or preparations, involving activeingredients of plant origin (AYUSH, 2012). In India, it is believedthat approximately 25,000 plant-based formulations are consumedfor their medicinal properties (Joy et al., 2004). For over 28, chronicdiseases, herbal formulae are utilized as they provide therapeuticrelief (Sharma et al., 2007).

The secondary metabolites in plants termed phytochemicals arelargely responsible for their medicinal properties. These activeingredients classified on the basis of their chemical compositioninclude alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids, sterols, volatileoils, phenols and biomolecules such as sugars and proteins. Variousherbs and spices hold great potential for their medicinal properties.Few of them along with their novel medicinal importance have beendiscussed below:

1. Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa (Bael), a member of family Rutaceaeis routinely used for relief from dysentery and diarrhoea, pepticulcers, and as a laxative (Baliga et al., 2011). The fruit juicetreats gastric problems, if consumed empty stomach and thepaste of the leaves helps during malaria in relieving high fever(Debbarma et al., 2017). A decoction of fresh leaves can treatcough and can relieve eye problems (Jeyaprakash et al., 2011).It is rich in (3,3-dimethylallyl) halfordinol (anti-diabetogenic

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and lipolytic activities), Limonene (anti-glycative properties),aegelin and lupeol (antihyperglycemic) (Gandhi et al., 2012;Saravanan et al., 2014)

2. Coriandrum sativum L. (Dhaniya), belonging to the familyApiaceae, has been used for its hepatoprotective, hypoglycemicand for its hypolipidemic activities with improved antioxidantpotential. The spice has been used for its medicinal propertiesdue to the presence of terpenes (Johanna, 2003) and caffeic,chlorogenic, ferulic and gallic acids (Bajpai et al., 2005). Powderedfruit when administered to cholesterol-fed rats lead to decreasedplasma LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol levels, as well as totallipid concentrations, though it leads to increase in the HDL-cholesterol (Suliman et al., 2008).

3. Zingiber officinale Rosc. (Ginger), belongs to the familyZingiberaceae, this rhizome has multiple health benefits. It isconsumed for treatment of disorders such as diabetes andhypertension, relief from neuromuscular ailments as arthritis,sprain, muscular aches, cramps and infectious diseases like sore throats,and fever (Haniadka et al., 2013). Its constituents provide specificproperties as an antioxidant, antidiabetic, hypocholesterolemic andhypolipidemic potential (Rani et al., 2012). The anti-inflammatoryproperties can be accounted for structurally related compoundsas gingerols, shogaols and paradols (Grzanna et al., (2005). Ghayurand Gilani (2005) and Ali et al. (2008) suggested that ginger canlower blood pressure as it stimulates muscarinic receptors andblocks calcium channels.

4. Cuminum cyminum L. (Jeera) belongs to the family Apiaceae. Ithas wide usage for treatment of dyspepsia, diarrhoea and jaundiceand an aqueous extract showed potential to lower blood glucosein alloxan-induced diabetic rats, along with the reduction in plasmaand tissue lipid concentrations (Lee, 2005). Saraswat et al. (2009)reported the prevention of non-enzymatic glycation of proteins,with the potential to alleviate diabetic complications. In diabeticanimals, alterations in metabolic levels, such as lowering of bloodurea and reduced excretions of urea and creatinine were noted byVillatgamuwa et al. (1998). Cumin is useful as a chemopreventiveagent as a cumin seed-mixed diet significantly, inhibited thestomach tumor burden induced by benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P](Gagandeep et al., 2003). The active ingredient includecuminaldehyde (Sowbhagya, 2013), alongwith cuminal, cuminicalcohol, safranal, p-cymene, β-pinene, γ-terpinene and volatileoils (Chatterjee and Prakash, 1997).

5. Murraya koenigii (L.) Spreng (Curry) belongs to to FamilyRutaceae. The leaves (kadipatta) contain several carbazolealkaloids as mahanimbine, mahanine, mahanimbicine, euchrestineB and bismurrayafoline, have been traditionally used for itsantioxidant properties. Ningappa and Srinivas (2008) isolated a35 kDa antioxidant protein PII, having potential to inhibitlipoxygenase activity and lipid peroxidation on erythrocyte ghostsand ROS scavenging activity. In diabetic ob/ob mice, Xie (2006)depicted a decrease in blood glucose and cholesterol levels alongwith a reduction in body weight on leaf supplementation. Potentialto lower blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-inducedmoderately and alloxan- induced mild diabetic rats, fed with curry

leaf powder showed a decrease of 8.2% and 21.4%, respectively,Yadav (2002). Khan et al. (1996) reported in high fat-fed youngmale albino rats, reduction in total serum LDL, VLDL andcholesterol concentrations and release of lipoproteins into thecirculation. Also, an increase in HDL concentration, and lecithincholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity were observed onsupplementation.

6. Cinnamomum verum J. Presl. (Dalchini), belongs to Lauraceaefamily. The pharmacological properties of this plant includeantioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, astringent antinociceptive,digestive, hypolipidemic and stimulant (Lopez et al., 2005; Shanet al., 2005). Wahab et al. (2009) reported that the majorconstituents comprising >95% of the cinnamon oil, are, namely;cinnamaldehyde (77.1%), (E)-β-caryophyllene (6.0%), α-terpineol(4.4%), and eugenol (3.0%). In spontaneously hypertensive rats,cinnamon prevents sucrose induced increase in blood pressure(Preuss, 2006) while in cholesterol-fed rats, hepatic HMGCoAreductase activity is inhibited along with a suppression in lipidperoxidation in the liver (Kannappan, 2005). Solomon and Blannin(2009) fed 5-20 mg/kg/day cinnamaldehyde to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and found a decrease in plasma glucose,glycosylated haemoglobin, cholesterol and triglycerideconcentrations, with an increase observed in plasma insulin, HDL-cholesterol concentrations and hepatic glycogen. Use of cinnamonas hypolipidemic is well-known and in rats fed with cholesteroland cinnamate (0.1 g/100 g), inhibition of hepatic HMGCoAreductase activity and lipid peroxidation in the liver is noted.

7. Curcuma longa L. (Haldi) belongs to the family Zingiberaceae.This plant is well known for medicinal uses of its rhizomes asantiarthritic, anticancer, antibacterial, anti-hepatotoxic, antifungal,anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, hypocholesterolemic. It is alsoknown to improve Alzheimer’s, asthma, blood impurities, cough,diabetes, obesity and worm manifestation (Chatterjee andPakrashi, 1997). Curcumin along with essential oils such as p-cymene-8-ol in flower (26%) and phellandrene (33%) in leaf arethe major phytochemicals (Leela et al., 2002). Many propertiesof curcumin are attributed to its role in mediating the regulationthrough cytokines, growth factors, protein kinases, transcriptionfactors and other enzymes. (Agarwal, 2007). The anti-inflammatory properties of haldi are attributed to its inhibitoryeffects on lipoxygenase (LOX) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),along with inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Further,improper up-regulation of above enzymes is coupled to thepathophysiology of cancer as well. As a result, the spice is nowalso consumed for its chemopreventive effects (Menon andSudheer, 2007). Jagetia and Aggarwal (2007), highlighted theimmunomodulatory activities of curcumin by modulating theactivation of T cells, B cells, macrophages, neutrophils, naturalkiller cells, and dendritic cells; downregulating the expression ofproinflammatory cytokines as chemokines, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12 and TNF, via transcription factor NF-kappaBinactivation., Weisberg et al. (2008) evaluated the effects ofcurcumin on obesity associated with diabetes, in high-fat fedobese and leptin-deficient ob/ob mice, and suggested that itpossibly also alters fatty acid metabolism. Interestingly, curcuminhas been found to exhibit therapeutic potential in both types of

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diabetes, as in streptozotocin- induced diabetic rats. However, itdid not show any hypoglycaemic activity (Srinivasan, 2005).

8. Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Methi) belongs to the familyFabaceae. This herb has been used for curing abdominal pain,anorexia, body ache, diabetes and deficient lactation. These effectsare mediated via its active chemical constituents, as saponins (β-sitosterol), flavonoids, alkaloids (trigonalin, vitexin, andtigogenine), galactomannan and volatile oils. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antitumour, antipyretic, analgesic, hypoglycaemic,hypolipidemic and pharmacological properties (Chatterjee andPrakash, 2005). Meghwal and Goswami (2012) suggested thatseeds of methi contain 65% fibre which reduces energy intake,increasing satiety and controlling blood sugar. The fiber also hasthe potential to bind and remove toxins from the intestine, thushelping in prevention of cancer. Fenugreek contains phenolic andflavonoid compounds which help to enhance its antioxidantcapacity (Balch et al., 2003) which holds benefit for liver andpancreas function and these properties are enriched in germinatingseeds due to better bioavailability. Kaviarasan et al. (2007)exhibited the potential of hydroxyl radicals scavenging andhydrogen peroxide-induced LPO inhibition in mitochondria asthe extract is rich in antioxidants and cellular structures areprotected from oxidative damage. The hypocholesterolaemicproperty is evident from the ability of an alcoholic extract toinhibit deoxycholate and taurocholate absorption in a dose-dependent manner when reductions ranging from 18 to 26% inplasma cholesterol levels were observed (Gupta, 2010)

9. Allium sativum L. (Garlic/Lahsun), a member of familyAmaryllidaceae is globally used with a broad range of therapeuticresponses like, lowering blood pressure, glucose levels, lipid levelsand flatulence; reducing atherosclerosis risk and obesity; and iswell known as antimicrobial, anticancer and hepatoprotectiveagent. These effects of garlic have been credited to the presenceof sulphur compounds of which Allicin (diallyl thiosulphinate)is the major bioactive component and allyl methyl thiosulphonate,1-propenyl allyl thiosulphonate and γ-L-glutamyl-S-allyl-L-cysteine being other constituents (Banerjee et al., 2003). Studieshave shown that garlic has the ability to inhibit angiotensin IIthrough inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme thuspromoting vasodilation (Benavides et al., 2007). Animal studies,depict organ-protective effects on the heart, liver and kidneyshelping in control of blood pressure in hypertensive patients asit inhibits thickening of lipid-filled lesions on plaques producedpost-injury to right carotid artery in cholesterol-fed rabbits. Areaof thoracic aorta covered by fatty streaks is also reduced by thespice (Reinhart et al., 2008; Ried et al., 2009).

The above mentioned herbs/spices have been used in the householdregularly so their consumption as medicines forms a psychologicalbarrier. However, the same if dissolved will help in providing healthbenefits with few adverse effects at a low cost. With respect toherbal products, another area gaining popularity is nutritionalsupplements and functional foods. They provide nutrients whichgo amiss in the diet or its adequate quantity is not consumed throughthe diet. They are rich in antioxidants, minerals, macronutrients,vitamins, etc., all of which promote good health. This concept was

prevalent since ancient times in India as formulations likechyawanprash, musli pak, and ashwagandhadi lehyam wereconsumed for maintenance of good health. The differentphytochemicals in herbal medicines work singly, in additive fashionor even synergistically, insight to which is essential for developingnovel products. This holistic approach to treatment is a key factorfor the success of Indian traditional medicine, especially Ayurveda,around the world (Sheth, 2005).

A bio-enhancer from pipali ‘Piperine’, and so also ‘Vijayasar”(aqueous decoction of Ptero­carpus marsupium Roxb.) have beensuccessfully evaluated in clinical studies as hypoglycemic andantidiabetic drugs. A US patent has been approved for an herbalanti-psoriatic medicine containing Argemone mexicana (L.). TheCentral Drug Research Institute (CDRI) marketed a drug fromCommiphora wightii (gugulipid fraction) for relief fromhyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis while Regional ResearchLaboratories (Jammu) has commercialized Boswellia serrata Roxb.,gum resin as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, exhibitinghypolipidemic effect (Gurib-Fakim, 2011; Sen and Chakraborty,2015). In Asian and European countries, Brahmi (Bacopa monnieriL.) product developed by the CSIR and CDRI is marketed.

Major challenges faced in acceptance of herbal products are lack ofstandard protocols for drug standardization, quality control, andassurance (Rana and Rana, 2014). The heavy metal contaminationbeyond permissible limit and adulteration and substitution ofundeclared components, added for better efficacy, is a concern foracceptance of herbal products in a study of 260 patented medicines.About 20% drugs available online have been found to becontaminated with heavy metals as lead, mercury, and arsenic, whichis another deterrent to online purchase of herb al formulations(Moshi, 2005). GMP application is vital for the quality of theherbal medicines. Further, in our country, most non-conventionalmedicinal products are made available over the counter (OTC) andstrict quality parameters are not adhered to. This arises largely dueto the unavailability of conventional quality control and assuranceparameters being unavailable due to the complex composition ofherbal medicines.

The future of herbal products is bright, but legislations for marketingof herbal products have to be redefined. The need of the hour is todevelop standard procedures with recommendations for evencultivation as well as postharvest processing. The research forherbal products should culminate at patenting post which stringentprocedures to be monitored during manufacture and marketingstrategy. The involvement of local medicine men is an importantaspect for a successful program. An ideal solution could be creationof government-certified raw material supply centers across thecountry, so that verified raw materials are made available. Use oftaxonomic, chemical, genomic, and proteomic markers, to ascertainthe identity of components can help resolve issues of addition andsubstitution. With advancement in recombinant DNA technology(RDT) fingerprinting of raw material, if conducted will increase theacceptability of the drugs across the world. (Bandaranayake, 2003;Fan et al., 2006; Saxena et al., 2007; Li, 2008).

In conclusion, it is evident that the demand for novel and wellknown herbal products will be on the rise due to their safety claims.

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For best availability and promotion of these herbal medicines therole of government policy makers becomes crucial and organizationlike AAYUSH have to settle all the concerns related to thedevelopment and marketing of these products in a well regulatedmode. Capacity building in the area of ethnobotany will be a crucialstep in this direction because the tribes across the globe are reservoirsof precious information regarding medicinal uses of various plants.Further, submissions for product research and marketing should beevidence-based to increase acceptance to spread the phytomedicineto global markets. Since India is among the mega diversity centers,hence considered as a treasure of phytomedicine with never endingscope. Finally, a coordinated and serious effort of local people,ethnobotanist, herbalists and government officials can do wondersin this area with huge opportunity of employment.

In the proper dissipations of emerging new scientific knowledge,scientific journals play key roles by publishing properly scrutinizedand reviewed good quality research articles. It is heartening to notethat, currently, important journals are indexed and the journalcontents are rapidly made available online to the world. In today’scompetitive world, the success of a journal depends on, to a largeextent, getting good quality research findings including scientificconcepts in the form of well-presented manuscripts as well asavailing the services of efficient, experienced and unbiased reviewers.In the emerging scenario of the 21st century, phytomedicine isgaining wider acceptance and importance, because it is truly amultidisciplinary areas, encompassing serveral disciplines. In viewof the ever increasing amount of awesome research work to becarried out in the development of phytomedicines and conventionalmedicines from plants, a matching increase in the number of goodquality, reputed journals is a requirement (Pushpangadan, 2013;Subramoniam, 2014). In this context, Annals of Phytomedicine: AnInternational Journal, with a commitment to excellence in publishingcutting edge research in all areas of phytomedicine is a welcomearrival. It is gratifying to see that “Annals of Phytomedicine” iscatering to the needs of scientists from different closely relateddisciplines by promoting the publications on plant medicines andspecially by inviting the commentaries of stake holders. It is achallenging and a difficult job to run such a journal successfully. Iam very happy and informing you all, working in the field ofphytomedicine that “Annals of Phytomedicine: An InternationalJournal” is on its way towards accomplishing its mission andbringing it to the greater heights.

Conflict of interestThe author declared that there is no conflicts of interest in thecourse of conducting the research. The author has final decisionregarding the manuscript and decision to submit the findings forpublication.

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Citation: Nazim Sekeroglu (2019). Some customary edible plants of incredible medicinal worth. Ann. Phytomed., 8(2):1-6.

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Professor Nazim SekerogluPresident of International Mediterranean Symposium on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MESMAP)

President of Association of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Mediterranean (AMAPMED)President of Global Federation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (GOFMAP)

Biography

Professor Nazim Sekeroglu was born in 1972. He graduated fromField Crops Department, Agricultural Faculty, YuzuncuYilUniversity in Van-Turkey. He got his PhD degree on agronomy andquality analysis of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants at CukurovaUniversity, Adana-Turkey. Now, he has a 30 years’ background ofteaching and research activities in ethnobotany, wild edible plants,functional foods; cultivation, processing and analysis of medicinaland aromatic plants under the Fields Crops Department, at theKilis 7 Aralýk University, Kilis-Turkey. He has many collaborationsand research projects with agricultural and pharmacy facultiesaround the world. He has more than one hundred full text scientificpapers at respected scientific journals and more than three hundredpresentations as invited and plenary speaker, at scientific meetingson the worldwide. He was awarded by “Late Smt. Kamal BenVavia Memorial Award-2015” at “Pharmacy Institution of MadhyaParadesh, DAVV Auditorium, Takshash Campus, in Indore, India.Professor Sekeroglu is founder of some international associationsrelated to Medicinal and Aromatic Plants like AMAPMED(Association of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Mediterranean),www.amapmed.org and GOFMAP (Global Federation of Medicinaland Aromatic Plants), www.gofmap.org. He is also a core committeemember of AMAPSEEC (Association for Medicinal and AromaticPlants of Southeast European Countries). As a founder and president

of MESMAP (International Mediterranean Symposium onMedicinal and Aromatic Plants), www.mesmap.com scientificmeetings, he has connected more than one thousands scientistsstudying on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants from all disciplinesunder the MESMAP umbrella throughout the world up to now.Presented scientific works at MESMAP symposiums have beenpublished at special issues of respected journals, (e.g., IndustrialCrops and Products by Elsevier; Annals of Phytomedicine: AnInternational Journal by Ukaaz Publications, Hyderabad, India andMolecules by MDPI) with high impact factors. The sixth series ofthe well-known meeting, MESMAP-6 will be organized during April16-19, 2020 in Ephesus, Izmir-Turkey. Professor Sekeroglu is thescience director of the International Cosmetic Congress organizedin Turkey, as well. He is editorial and advisory board member ofmany international scientific journals, symposiums and congress.He is also founder and Chief-editor of CUPMAP (CurrentPerspectives on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants), https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/cupmap, an open access, peer-reviewed andrefereed international journal published by MESMAP scientificgroup. He is member of scientific councils at the Turkish Ministriesof Agriculture, Forestry and Industry. Besides his academic andscientific activities, he has also many administrative duties atuniversity like manager, dean, vice rector and international relationscoordinator.